More trains to and from London are expected to arrive at Bradford Interchange from December, along with extra services between the capital and Bradford Forster Square.
The Bradford Interchange to Kings Cross route could get an extra two services per day when the next rail timetable change is introduced later this year – up from the current four a day frequency.
The service, run by Grand Central, stops at Halifax, Mirfield, Wakefield, Pontefract, and Doncaster.
News that there would be extra services on this route was revealed in a report going to West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee on Wednesday.
The report says: “Grand Central are hoping to introduce up to two additional trains each way per day on their Bradford Interchange – Halifax – Mirfield – Wakefield – Pontefract –Doncaster – London King’s Cross route, as against the current four per day – with the potential to introduce one of the two extra train-pairs sooner than December.
“However, it is not yet known whether their application for the relevant network access has been approved.”
If network access is approved, the services will follow an increase in London services to Bradford Forster Square that was introduced in May.
Platform 0 opened at Bradford Forster Square Station on May 19, and has seen LNER increase the number of direct trains from Bradford to Kings Cross from two a day to seven a day.
It followed a £35m investment from Government, and was expected to add £4m a year to Bradford’s economy.
The report to WYCA’s Transport Committee says even more Forster Square/London services are likely in the December timetable change.
The report says: “LNER’s Sunday services on the Bradford Forster Square – London King’s Cross route are expected to increase, bringing them in line with the significantly improved weekday service.”
The December changes will also see train times on the Skipton and Ilkley lines “adjusted slightly” to accommodate the extra London – Bradford Foster Square LNER trains.
Other changes to West Yorkshire rail services in the December timetable include:
- The introduction of long-awaited hourly fast train Leeds – Wakefield Westgate – Sheffield, roughly 30 minutes apart from the existing Cross-Country fast service, throughout the day and every day.
- An additional 9.34pm Sheffield – Huddersfield service on the Penistone line on weekdays.
- The restoration of the two daily York – Pontefract – Sheffield trains on Sundays.
The committee will also hear that there has been a shift back towards office working in recent years. Northern Rail says this shift has led to a nine per cent year-on-year increase in commuter travel.
By: Chris Young, LDRS
